Giants continue feasting at Salt River Fields

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Maybe friendly ghosts from the Polo Grounds and Candlestick Park are interred somewhere around Salt River Fields, which the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks share during Cactus League games.

Because when the Giants visit here, they perform so well that it's almost scary.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Maybe friendly ghosts from the Polo Grounds and Candlestick Park are interred somewhere around Salt River Fields, which the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks share during Cactus League games.

Because when the Giants visit here, they perform so well that it's almost scary.

Bochy said closer Mark Melancon is slated to pitch Thursday and Friday. This will determine whether Melancon, who has felt vague discomfort in his surgically repaired right forearm, is ready for the regular season. Pitching on back-to-back days obviously is a requirement for any reliever.

Dyson's dangerous again

Right-hander Sam Dyson provided one of the evening's highlights for the Giants by striking out a pair of batters during a scoreless fifth inning. Dyson, whom the Giants are counting on to hold down a setup role and occasionally fill in for Melancon, entered the game with a 15.00 ERA.

"Dyson was a completely different pitcher tonight than he was all spring," Bochy said.

Up next

Right-hander Chris Stratton might be able to clinch a spot in the Giants' starting rotation when he confronts the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PT for the game that will be shown on MLB.TV as well as on NBC Sports Bay Area.